Formula

Gerber Soothe Formula Reviews: Best Features & Other Things You Need To Know

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Overview

Are you dealing with fussy, colicky babies? Constant burping and smaller, more frequent feeds might help. But switching to a sensitive formula can be a game-changer. (1)

Is Gerber Soothe Good For Gassy Babies?

Gerber Good Start Soothe Formula may be a 6-in-1 solution to common feeding issues that many parents might eventually experience:

  • Colic
  • Excessive crying
  • Fussiness
  • Excessive gas
  • Mild spit-up or acid reflux
  • Constipation or uncomfortable poops

Colic is defined as a baby’s fussiness or excessive crying, often without apparent reason. It may happen regularly for three hours a day, as frequently as three days a week. (1)(2)

Whether you’re a first-time parent or already have older kids, it can be frustrating to watch your little one cry nonstop for hours, especially if you’re that sure it’s not because of wet diapers or hunger.

Because prevention is often better than a cure, it can help to try to eliminate potential reasons for fussiness. That might be easier than dealing with a crying infant and trying to ease their discomfort or pain.

Causes of colic can include: (1)(2)

  • Sensitivity to certain ingredients in the formula or breast milk
  • Lactose intolerance (inability to digest a type of sugar called lactose) (3)
  • Cow’s milk protein allergy (4)
  • Gas pains
  • Discomfort due indigestion
  • Their digestive system isn’t fully developed yet
  • Sensitive tummy
  • Overfeeding
  • Underfeeding
  • Overstimulation
  • Emotional reaction to frustration, fear, or excitement
  • An early form of childhood migraine headache (5)

Although these are the most common causes of colic, it’s hard to say what exactly causes it.

Some studies suggest that a reduced lactose formula may help you deal with feeding sensitivity. (6) You can try these options to help ease your baby’s fussiness.

But be sure to consult with your pediatrician before changing your child’s formula or using one as a supplement for breastfeeding.

Can Gerber Good Start Soothe Pro help your fussy or colicky baby? Is it a reduced lactose formula? Can it provide your child with complete nutritional requirements to help promote growth and development? Can it also help improve your child’s digestive health?

Get answers to your questions below.

Gerber Good Start SootheProGerber Good Start Soothe Pro (HMO) Non-GMO Infant FormulaAMAZON BUTTONWALMART BUTTONiherb button 2EBAY BUTTON

Best Features & Safety

  • Gerber Good Start Soothe Formula may help you solve common feeding issues such as crying, colic, fussiness, mild spit-up, gas, and uncomfortable poops or constipation.
  • Lactobacillus reuteri or probiotic L. reuteri, which may help promote a healthier digestive system. These probiotic cultures are also known as “good gut bacteria.” (7)
  • The brand claims that the probioticsin this formula have been clinically shown to reduce excessive crying by 50% in fussy infants.
  • This powder infant formula has 2’-FL HMO (human milk oligosaccharide), a prebiotic abundant in human breast milk. (8)
  • Prebiotics can help support your baby’s digestive and immune system health. (8)
  • The combination of probiotics and prebiotics may help ease bowel movements. (7)(8)
  • The brand also uses a proprietary blend of Comfort Proteins or smaller, broken-down proteins that can be easier for your child’s tiny tummies to digest.
  • It has a carbohydrate blend with only 30% lactose. The reduced lactose may help ease fussiness and gas. (6)
  • This formula also has DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) that can help support brain function and eye development. (9)
  • It also contains ARA (arachidonic acid), an omega-6 fatty acid that can promote better immune system function. (9)
  • Nutritionists like Rebecca Fett suggest choosing a formula that uses whey proteins rather than casein (another milk protein). Whey may be easier to digest and absorb by your baby’s still-developing digestive system. (10)
  • It’s a non-GMO powder infant formula. (11)
  • GMOs (genetically modified organisms) may cause autism, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), autoimmunity, allergies, growth failure, and endocrine system disruption. (11)
  • It also has choline, a formula component, which can play an important role in infant brain and eye development. (12)
  • It’s for babies from birth to 12 months old.

Is Gerber Soothe Hydrolyzed?

  • It contains hydrolyzed (broken down) whey protein concentrate from milk.

Product Recall

  • None

Cons

  • It contains maltodextrin, which can cause green stools, colic, gas, bloating, or possible intestinal injury. (13)
  • Using a formula with an ingredient that can cause colic and gas may be counterproductive to remedy the same conditions.
  • This formula also contains soy lecithin, which may contain soy proteins that can trigger an allergic reaction in your baby. Allergy symptoms can include hives, itchy eyes, itchy or swollen lips, wheezing, and trouble breathing. (14)
  • It also contains palm oil, a common ingredient in infant formulas that can reduce calcium absorption. Reduced absorption of this important bone-building mineral can lead to lower bone density. (15)
  • It also has soy oil. Although highly processed soy oils may not appear to pose a risk to a child with soy allergies, you might still want to avoid any ingredient derived from soy. (14)(16)
  • This formula also has highly processed vegetable oils, which can have unhealthy trans fats. Regular or excessive intake of foods with these oils can lead to a higher risk of your child developing coronary heart disease. (17)
  • It may be prone to clumping.

Ingredients

  • Corn maltodextrin
  • Whey protein concentrate from milk (enzymatically hydrolyzed or broken down and reduced in minerals)
  • Vegetable oils (palm olein, soy, coconut, and high-oleic safflower or high-oleic sunflower)
  • M. alpina oil (ARA source)
  • C. cohnii oil (DHA source)
  • Soy lecithin
  • Lactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938) probiotic cultures
  • Potassium citrate
  • Potassium phosphate
  • Sodium citrate
  • Magnesium chloride
  • Ferrous sulfate
  • Zinc sulfate
  • Taurine
  • Ascorbyl palmitate (vitamin C source)
  • Nucleotides

Is Gerber Soothe Soy Based?

This formula is based on dairy, not soy. But the milk proteins have been hydrolyzed or broken down to smaller pieces that may be easier to digest by sensitive tummies.

It has soy oil, highly processed oils that may not appear to pose a risk to a child with soy allergies. But you might still want to avoid any ingredient derived from soy. (14)(16)

Nutritional Facts

Each serving (5 fl oz) contains:

  • Calories: 100 calories
  • Proteins: 2.2 g
  • Total fats: 5.1 g
  • Total carbohydrates: 11.2 g
  • Linoleic acid: 900 mg
  • Iron: 1.5 mg
  • Calcium: 72 mg
  • Folic acid: 15 mcg
  • Choline: 24 mg
  • Vitamin A: 300 IU
  • Vitamin D: 60 IU
  • Vitamin C: 10 mg
  • Vitamin E: 2 IU
  • Vitamin K: 8 mcg

Gerber Soothe Formula Reviews

Positive Reviews

“Our LO was three weeks old with severe gas and fusiness. We tried other brands and she ended up with severe constipatation. Our Doctor thought maybe she had lactose intolerance and recommended expensive non lactose formula which we tried and was worse. After researching I came across the Gerber Soothe and its amazing!! First bottle I could tell she liked it more. After a few days she started having regular bowels, no spit up, and less gassiness.” – Reviewer on Gerber’s website.

“Our 2nd baby was born with a sensitive stomach unfortunately. We tried enfamil for sensitive tummies and similac. He was still waking up nearly every hour with gas pains. Our pediatrician recommended Gerber and he slept 3 solid hours for the first time that night: we were beyond thrilled! 3 months later and he is almost sleeping through the night. This formula seems to really agree with his gut.” – Reviewer on Amazon.

“After trying just about every baby’s formula on the market I’m so glad I found Gerber Soothe. I’m 41 years old & thought had my mind set on breastfeeding my new baby but when my milk never came in I had to opt for the formula the hospital staff gave me which really upset my baby’s tummy & made her very fussy. I from the on had my husband go buy different brands to see if she’d get better with error tummy issues & crying. After 1 month a friend told me about Gerber Soothe so I had my husband go pick up some & I have to say that by day 2 I had a happier more peaceful baby girl who also slept better. Thank you Gerber for my happy baby!” – Reviewer on Gerber’s website.

Negative Reviews

“All around awful product. Within the first 2 bottles it has made my 5 week old miserable. He spits up constantly, has horrible trapped gas, not to mention constipated. He’s not even been on this formula a full 24 hours and I’m already switching him to simlac. The scope is awkwardly made. When adding to a bottle the formula goes all over the counter.” – Reviewer on Amazon.

“This is the worst formula I’ve ever used. Every single bottle I make with it, the formula clumps up and gets stuck in the nipple. It doesn’t matter what temperature of the water, how much a shake the bottle, or if I use a formula blender. It always clumps. The only reason I even use this formula is because it’s what I get with WIC.” – Reviewer on Gerber’s website.

“We had switched to the good start soothe pro because it was recommended. The first few weeks were fine then all of a sudden it turned my sweet little boy into the most miserable baby I’ve ever seen! It constipated him super bad, made his stomach hurt to the point he would stretch until his face was bright red, and scream for hours. We switched to enfamil neutramagin and now I have my sweet little boy back. I’m so disappointed in this formula for making my son go though this misery.” – Reviewer on Gerber’s website.

Summary & Recommendation

Gerber Good Start Soothe Formula can provide your baby with complete nutrition based on the FDA’s minimum requirements.

But is it the right infant formula for your child? Here are our recommendations:

Choose Gerber Good Start Soothe Formula if:

  • You prefer a non-GMO powder infant formula, so your child may avoid the risk of endocrine system disruption, allergies, growth failure, autism, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and autoimmunity. (11)
  • You have a fussy baby who may benefit from the reduced lactose formula. (6)
  • Your child frequently experiences gas, constipation, mild spit-up, excessive crying, or colic.
  • You prefer a formula with probiotics and prebiotics for a healthier digestive system. (7)
  • You want a formula marketed to have probiotics that have been clinically proven to reduce excessive crying by 50%.
  • You prefer a formula with 2’-FL HMO (human milk oligosaccharide), a prebiotic abundant in human breast milk. (8)
  • You’re searching for a formulation with smaller, broken-down proteins that can be easier for your child’s tiny tummies to digest.
  • You’re looking for a powdered formula with DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid) fatty acids that can support brain function, eye development, and a healthier immune system. (9)
  • You’re looking for a formula with whey protein concentrate, which can be easier to digest than the other major milk protein, casein. (10)

Don’t choose Gerber Good Start Soothe Formula if:

  • You’re concerned about maltodextrin, a component that may cause (or worsen) bloating, gas, colic, green stools, or possible intestinal injury. (13)
  • Your child has soy allergies because this formula contains soy lecithin and oil. (14)
  • You want to avoid a formula with palm oil because it may reduce calcium absorption and lead to a lower bone density. (15)
  • You’re concerned about highly processed vegetable oils, which may put your child at higher risk of your child developing coronary heart disease. (17)
  • You’re looking for a formula that’s easy to dissolve because this one can be prone to clumping.

Still, it’s important to remember that no matter what formula you pick for your child, their pediatrician must first approve it.

It’s for their safety, especially if your child has lactose sensitivity, cow’s milk protein allergy, or other food allergies.

Comparison With Other Formulas

Gerber Good Start Soothe Vs. Gerber Good Start Gentle Formula

Gerber Good Start SootheProGerber Good Start Soothe Pro (HMO) Non-GMO Infant FormulaAMAZON BUTTONWALMART BUTTONiherb button 2EBAY BUTTON

 

Gerber Good Start Gentle FormulaWALMART BUTTONEBAY BUTTONiherb button 2

Both formulas have the following features:

  • Formulated for babies from birth to 12 months old
  • Prebiotics and probiotics (7)(8)
  • Whey proteins (10)
  • Non-GMO formula (11)
  • DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and (ARA) arachidonic acid (9)
  • Choline, which can help with infant brain and eye development (12)

What is the difference between Gerber Good Start Gentle and Soothe?

Gerber Good Start SoothePro Highlights

  • Reduced lactose formula for gas, spit-up, and colic due to lactose intolerance
  • More calcium content (72 mg), while Gentle only has 67 mg.

Gentle Formula Highlights

  • May have the gentleness of breastmilk.
  • Slightly lower price tan than SoothePro
  • More carbohydrate content (11.6 g)

Gerber Good Start Soothe Vs. Similac Sensitive

Gerber Good Start SootheProGerber Good Start Soothe Pro (HMO) Non-GMO Infant FormulaAMAZON BUTTONWALMART BUTTONiherb button 2EBAY BUTTON

 

Similac Sensitivesimilac sensitiveEBAY BUTTONAMAZON BUTTONWALMART BUTTON

Similarities

  • Both are designed for fussy babies
  • Both are formulated for babies from birth to 12 months old
  • Both have prebiotics and whey proteins (8)(10)
  • Both contain DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and (ARA) arachidonic acid (9)
  • Both have choline, which can help with infant brain and eye development (12)
  • Both also have soy oil and soy lecithin (14)(16)
  • Both may contain questionable processed vegetable oils.

Gerber Good Start SoothePro Highlights

  • Non-GMO formula (11)
  • Probiotics (7)
  • Free from added sugars and corn syrup

Similac Sensitive Highlights

  • Costs less than SoothPro 
  • Free from artificial growth hormones, which may be linked to some cancers (18)
  • Lutein that can promote better eyesight (19)
  • More iron (1.8 mg) than SoothPro (1.5 mg)
  • It has higher calcium levels (84 mcg) than SoothPro (72 mg)

Gerber Good Start Soothe Vs. Enfamil Gentlease

Gerber Good Start SootheProGerber Good Start Soothe Pro (HMO) Non-GMO Infant FormulaAMAZON BUTTONWALMART BUTTONiherb button 2EBAY BUTTON

 

Enfamil Gentleaseenfamil gentleaseENFAMIL BUTTONAMAZON BUTTONWALMART BUTTONEBAY BUTTON

Similarities

  • Both are designed for colicky babies
  • Both have easy-to-digest proteins
  • Both have DHA and ARA (9)

Gerber Good Start SoothePro Highlights

  • Non-GMO formula (11)
  • Probiotics and prebiotics (7)(8)
  • Free from corn syrup

Enfamil Gentlease Highlights

  • Cost less than SoothPro 
  • The brand claims that this formulation is clinically proven to reduce fussiness, excessive crying, and gas in 24 hours.
  • More iron (1.8 mg) than SoothPro (1.5 mg)
  • It has higher calcium levels (82 mcg) than SoothPro (72 mg)

 

REFERENCES

(1) https://familydoctor.org/condition/colic/

(2) https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/colic.html

(3) https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Lactose-Intolerance-in-Children.aspx

(4) https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/milk-allergy.html

(5) https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/migraine-colic-connection/

(6) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10547247/

(7) https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/formula-feeding/Pages/Probiotics-in-Infant-Formula.aspx

(8) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4615227/

(9) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29413359/

(10) https://brainhealthfrombirth.com/formula/

(11) https://www.greenamerica.org/blog/downsides-gmo-infant-formula-we-asked-pediatrician

(12) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6566660/

(13) https://blog.babycues.info/2021/april/maltodextrin-in-baby-formula-please-avoid/

(14) https://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/soy-allergy.aspx

(15) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16582027/

(16) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3894482/

(17) https://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/multimedia/multimedia_pub/multimedia_pub_fsf_85_01.html

(18) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4882692/

(19) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4107217/

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